标签： Africa

In a decisive move to enhance road safety and curb noise pollution, Sharjah Police have confiscated 73 vehicles and 25 motorcycles following a series of traffic violations. The crackdown, announced on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, targeted offenses such as excessive noise, reckless driving, and operating vehicles without valid licenses. Authorities emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to ensure public safety and avoid severe penalties. Under Article 20 of the Federal Traffic Law, vehicles exceeding the 95-decibel noise limit face a Dh2,000 fine, 12 black points, and confiscation for up to six months. This initiative follows a surge in complaints from residents about disruptive driving behaviors and modified vehicles. Major-General Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, highlighted the growing concerns over road stunts, noise, and pollution in residential areas. Meanwhile, Dubai Police are also intensifying efforts to combat vehicle noise through advanced noise-detection radars, part of their smart traffic technology platform. These measures aim to identify and penalize violations such as loud engines, modified exhausts, and excessive honking. The coordinated efforts across the UAE underscore a commitment to creating safer and quieter urban environments.

Government schools in the UAE have implemented a new policy requiring parents to sign the Parent-School Partnership Charter before releasing term exam results. This mandatory agreement, applicable to both citizens and residents, aims to foster collaboration between schools and families in addressing academic and behavioral matters. School administrations have confirmed that exam grades will not be accessible on online platforms until the charter is signed and approved through the designated system. The Ministry of Education, which issues and updates the charter annually, emphasizes its role in defining responsibilities that support student well-being and create a positive learning environment. Key provisions of the charter include ensuring a safe and inclusive school atmosphere, maintaining regular communication with parents, enforcing attendance policies, and promoting positive citizenship. Additionally, it outlines parental responsibilities such as supporting academic progress, monitoring health and behavior, and encouraging participation in extracurricular activities. Parents can sign the charter using their digital ID, review the terms, and receive an official copy via email. Schools have reiterated that results will remain withheld until the process is completed, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between schools and families for the benefit of students.

Amnesty International has revealed that Kenyan authorities allegedly funded a network of trolls to threaten and intimidate young protesters during recent anti-government demonstrations. The human rights organization’s report highlights the use of surveillance, disinformation, and digital abuse to target organizers of mass protests that swept Kenya in 2024 and 2025. These demonstrations, largely driven by Gen Z activists, utilized social media platforms for mobilization. The report also disclosed that young women and LGBT+ activists faced disproportionate targeting, including misogynistic and homophobic comments, as well as AI-generated pornographic images. One activist shared harrowing experiences of receiving death threats and being forced to relocate their child due to targeted intimidation. Additionally, a man claimed he was part of a team paid between 25,000 and 50,000 Kenyan shillings daily to amplify government messaging and suppress protest hashtags on social media platform X. Beyond digital abuse, authorities were accused of a brutal crackdown on protests, resulting in over 100 deaths, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and the use of lethal force. While the government acknowledged some cases of excessive police force, it defended its security forces in other instances. Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard emphasized the report’s findings as evidence of state-sponsored efforts to silence dissent. Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen denied government involvement in harassment or violence, stating that any implicated officers would face investigation. Amnesty also raised concerns about unlawful state surveillance, including allegations of mobile data misuse, which Kenya’s largest telecom provider, Safaricom, has denied.

The city of Al Ain in the UAE has once again made headlines for its extreme weather conditions, recording the nation’s lowest temperature of 9.2°C on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed that the temperature was recorded in Raknah at 6:45 AM local time. This marks the second time in ten days that Raknah has experienced the coldest temperature in the country, following a previous low of 9.8°C on November 9. Interestingly, Al Ain also claimed the highest temperature in the UAE on Tuesday, November 18, with Sweihan reaching 34.7°C at 2:15 PM. As the UAE transitions into winter, residents are welcoming the cooler weather, which offers a refreshing break from the intense summer heat and encourages outdoor activities and travel.